Making your own bias tape from a rectangular piece of fabric

If you sew garments, and dislike facings like I do, you will have made or considered making your own bias binding. When you can't find the material, size, and colour you need, it's certainly handy to know how to make it yourself, whether you make it from the same fabric as your garment, or choose a contrasting option. Bias strips are also very handy if you want to create your own piping.

I'm certainly a fan of contrasting bias binding or piping. If you choose a patterned fabric for your bias binding or piping, the insides of your garment hold a nice little surprise for the wearer!

I've tried various ways to make my own binding. There are hundreds of tutorials covering the continuous method online, but the ones I have seen instruct you to use a square of fabric. As I like to use fat quarters or offcuts of fabric to make binding, I didn't like the scraps I'd end up with after cutting my piece into a square. There isn't much you can do with those!

After experimenting with a rectangular piece of paper and doing some research online, I came across a way of making bias binding from a rectangular piece of fabric. Best of all, depending on how wide your bias strips are, you end up with little to no waste!

The sausage and ham challenge (sewing novices: it's not what you think!)

I hate pressing. Well, maybe "hate" is a strong word, but I really, really don't like it. It slows me down, you know, and I am a busy, impatient lady.

However, it must be done (although admittedly I'm still not very diligent about it) and so I reluctantly accepted that I needed a tailor's ham and sausage. 

Welcome!

Were any of you around back when people used to start new blogs/LiveJournals/Myspace profiles with a "Hello world!" post? Or was that just me? 🤣

Over the years I've ventured online numerous times, each time with a slightly different purpose. Now that I am in my thirties (yikes!), with a job and a very lively toddler, I wanted a space to explore and track my many crafty hobbies.

When Covid-19 reared its ugly head back in March and a lot of us suddenly found ourselves spending less time commuting and more time parenting, I sadly didn't turn into a domestic goddess, as much as I would have liked to. Instead, I quickly realised that if I wanted to stay remotely sane, I needed to find some pastimes beyond binge-watching teen dramas on Netflix in pyjamas.

I have very few acquaintances who share the same interests--as much as I've tried enthusing the husband with my latest vintage sewing pattern finds--which is where the internet comes in handy. It turns out that there is a buzzing community of makers on YouTube, Instagram (my rabbit hole of choice) and Facebook. Not to mention the many amazing blogs I have stumbled upon during late nights looking up and studying sewing, weaving, or crocheting techniques.

If anything, I hope that this blog encourages me to spend more time making, because creating is truly therapeutic. As much as I procrastinate because I'm an insufferable perfectionist and like to hide behind my fear of failure, I do really enjoy the process of making something when I do pluck up the courage.

During the making of this blog:

• I consumed an entire 24-pack of Coke Zero (#notsponsored, just addicted)
• I refreshed this page exactly 1,506 times whilst I was coding it
• the husband watched a dozen football matches when I was hiding away in my office ignoring him

If by some miracle you happen to stumble upon this blog, I would love for you to leave a comment with a link to your own blog or Instagram below!